6-year-old with leukemia is world’s youngest UPS driver
Mateo's wish was made possible through a partnership with Make-A-Wish and UPS.
A 6-year-old is now the world's youngest UPS driver.
Mateo Toscano, from Stockton, California, spends most of his time indoors due to his leukemia diagnosis and the need to stay inside was further exacerbated by health and safety concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
To keep himself occupied, Mateo people-watched from his living room windows, and particularly liked it when delivery drivers would come around with packages. He wanted to be like them and bring joy to others by delivering packages -- and through The Make-A-Wish Foundation his dream came true Thursday.
"I really liked it," Mateo told "Good Morning America." "It was so cool."
"When Mateo's wish came true, he did more than deliver packages, he delivered hope to the entire Stockton community and beyond ... and that's the incredible power of a wish," Jennifer Stolo, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Northeastern and Central California & Northern Nevada, said in a statement to "GMA."
Mateo started off his workday by dressing in his custom UPS uniform and receiving his very own fully functional miniature UPS truck, which he got to take out for a driver's test before going on his route.
Mateo, along with an adult UPS driver, delivered packages to various Stockton city officials, local police, and others.
"I was busy as a bee," Mateo said.
During the middle of his day, he took a lunch break and then delivered the Mother's Day gifts he picked out for his mother and grandmother: candles, bath towels and flowers.
"My mom and I were both so touched by his Mother's Day gifts to us, and were very surprised by the pretty flowers!" Cynthia Toscano, Mateo's mother, told "GMA."
Mateo's doctors advised his family that there shouldn't be any cut flowers, wreaths or trees in the house during his treatment.
His mother continued, "The flowers were a very nice way to signal the end of a very, very dark period. Hopefully, the brighter times are here to stay."
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